Queen’s Speech: High-speed broadband for all promised

The Queen has opened the second session of parliament, revealing that the Tory government plans to legislate on the digital economy, which will include measures to give every British household access to high-speed broadband.

As rain hammered down on the House of Commons on Wednesday morning, it was also confirmed that the development of autonomous and electric cars will be propped up by a new law.

"My government will continue with legislation to modernise the law of governing the use of oversight of investigatory powers by law enforcement, security, and intelligence agencies. Legislation will strengthen the capability and accountability of the police service in England and Wales," her majesty added.

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The long-rumoured Digital Economy Bill (we've been here before, by the way) will include not only a universal service obligation (USO) of 10Mbps broadband, but also online age verification, and a range of consumer protection measures against network outages and marketing guff from ISPs and other Web players.

"Measures will be brought forward to create the right for every household to access high speed-broadband," the Queen told MPs and peers. She added: "Legislation will be introduced to improve Britain’s competitiveness and make the United Kingdom a world leader in the digital economy."

A proposed Modern Transport Bill has also been tabled. "My ministers will ensure the United Kingdom is at the forefront of technology for new forms of transport including autonomous and electric vehicles," the Queen said.

Under that draft legislation, the government additionally plans to bring in new rules to improve the safety of commercial and personal drone flights for households and businesses, as well as support the future development of the UK's first commercial spaceports.

Veteran Labour MP Dennis Skinner—who can be relied upon to make a cutting remark each year during the opening of parliament—quipped: "Hands off the BBC," in reference to the government's recent White Paper.

The government's full programme of law-making for the next year is available here.